Words matter.
In the pre-Civil War Congress, people called dangerous words “missiles.”
North and South, they pleaded with each other not to throw missiles before a national audience in Congress.
Words enrage, motivate, intimidate.
They matter.
ESPECIALLY spoken by people with power.
Don’t dismiss verbal attacks on Black, gay, trans, Jewish or ANY people as mere rhetoric.
They’re invitations.
We see this almost every day.
Be a little bit careful with this: Don't confuse Article 4 with Article 5.
Article 4 creates an urgent conversation between NATO member diplomats on collective security, but has also happened several times in the past. Don't confuse it with Article 5, which is invoking the mutual defense treaty obligation in response to an armed attack.
But still Article 4 is a substantial step, and an indication of how serious #Poland is taking it.